A recent study has revealed that a commonly used and widely available anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (Celebrex) might end up offering added protection against some types of skin cancer.

The study to examine the effects of this Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug on skin cancer, researchers gathered 60 subjects with a genetic predisposition to a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma. About 50% of the subjects were placed on 200 mg of the medicine twice daily for nearly 2 years, while the other half of the group was placed on a placebo.

While all subjects continued to develop new cancers, those receiving treatment with celecoxib managed to decrease the growth of tumors by nearly 50%, as compared to subjects on placebo. A reduction in overall tumor burden was also seen in people on the medicine.

The trial, however, was discontinued over concerns about some cardiovascular complications that were associated with the treatment, but no patients in the study died or reported any adverse cardiovascular effects.

"Basal cell carcinomas are the most common human cancer in the United States, and their incidence is increasing steadily. This work identifies a possible way to prevent them", said lead researcher Jean Tang, MD, PhD.

The study has been published in the January 5 issue of Cancer Prevention Research.